A Blog on the Political Philosophy of Calvin Coolidge

On Reverence and Freedom

“…. [R]everence for nature,… reverence for law…. reverence for God. Without the sustaining influence of faith in a divine power we could have little faith in ourselves…Doubters do not achieve; skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create. Faith is the great motive power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is part of an unending plan” — Calvin Coolidge, July 25, 1924 (Foundations of the Republic pp.67-8).

To that I would add his words before the Holy Name Society in September of that same year when he said, “[R]everence…is the beginning of a proper conception of ourselves, of our relationship to each other, and our relationship to our Creator. Human nature cannot develop very far without it. The mind does not unfold, the creative faculty does not mature, the spirit does not expand, save under the influence of reverence. It is the chief motive of an obedience. It is only by a correct attitude of mind begun early in youth and carried through maturity that these desired results are likely to be secured. It is along the path of reverence and obedience that the race has reached the goal of freedom, of self-government, of a higher morality, and a more abundant spiritual life” (Foundations p.104).